Opening date confirmed for Queensferry Crossing

Dawn Renton

The date has been revealed when the Queensferry Crossing will open to traffic.

Details of an opportunity for the public to walk across the new bridge were also announced by Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

On a visit to the Forth Replacement Crossing construction site today (Tuesday), Mr Brown explained the process for opening Scotland’s newest icon. Key dates as follows:

·The Queensferry Crossing will open to traffic on August 30, 2017

· The bridge will then close to allow the public to take part in a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to walk over the new bridge on September 2 and 3;

· There are 50,000 spaces up for grabs through a ballot – the Queensferry Crossing Experience: www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com

· Details of an official opening ceremony to follow;

· The bridge will transition to a motorway once the final public transport links to the north of the Forth Road Bridge are completed. Full details to be provided for road users in the weeks ahead of opening the bridge.

Mr Brown met with workers from both the FRC project and veterans of the construction of the Forth Road Bridge at the Queensferry Crossing. He said: “It is fitting to be able to make this announcement alongside some of those who built the Forth Road Bridge and those who are building the Queensferry Crossing.

“What is being achieved on the Forth today, like what was achieved 53 years ago, is a testament to the expertise and the endeavour of those who have designed and built these bridges.

“I am very pleased to be able to confirm the Queensferry Crossing will open August 30, 2017. The bridge will be used by vehicles up to September 1, before closing to allow the public the chance to walk across it as part of the Queensferry Crossing Experience on September 2 and 3.

“This Queensferry Crossing Experience will allow for up to 50,000 people to have the once in a lifetime chance to walk across the Queensferry Crossing before it becomes a motorway with no pedestrian access.

“In order to manage access to the bridge there will be a ballot to decide who will have this unique opportunity to be one of the 50,000 people. I would encourage as many people as possible to enter and take part.

“The ballot will open from 9am on Tuesday, June 20 until 12noon on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. To enter the ballot people should visit the Queensferry Crossing Experience website: www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com.

“This marks the beginning of the end of a 10 year process for this project. Starting with the early Forth Crossing studies, the Act of Parliament, design, procurement, through to work beginning on site in August 2011.

“Excitement and anticipation will build in the months ahead as people prepare to walk and drive over this bridge for the first time.”

“The Queensferry Crossing is one of the world’s great bridges. It’s the largest bridge of its type and its fast track design and construction has presented many challenges. The safety of our workforce, who have worked relentlessly through the hostile weather conditions in the Forth estuary to deliver the earliest completion of this project, has always been our number one priority and it will continue to be so as move towards the completion of the project.”